Ashby to appeal court case

Lawyers for James Ashby plan to file his sexual harassment case against former parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper with Fair Work Australia on Friday.

A spokesman for Mr Ashby told reporters outside the Federal Court in Sydney an appeal against the court's recent dismissal of the case would be lodged in mid January.

Anthony McClellan, a spokesman for Mr Ashby and Harmers Workplace Lawyers, said that contrary to some public perceptions Mr Ashby's sexual harassment case against Mr Slipper had not been heard in court.

"No judicial finding has been made as to whether James was sexually harassed by Mr Slipper."

He said the only matter that had been heard over the past eight months was Mr Slipper's abuse of process case.

Mr McClellan said the aim of filing the case with Fair Work Australia was so the whole evidence and witnesses could be tested in open court at the appropriate time.

"This is designed to preserve and protect James' legal rights," Mr McClellan said.